Otago Southland Branch - New Zealand Psychological Society

12/05/2026

BREAKING.. One of our Climate Psychology Task Force members, Gabrielle, is doing an online workshop for psychology week at 12 noon today (Wednesday 13 May). In case you've missed the notification here it is. Feel free to share it with your networks!

Holding Both: Grief and Hope in a Changing World

Wednesday 13th May - 12noon - 1pm

Free online workshop with Gabrielle Feather - PhD candidate focussing on mental health impacts of ecological crisises

This workshop explores how people can stay psychologically well and connected to what matters in the face of uncertainty and change. It will include working with climate-related distress. Find out more and register here:

The 60 minute workshop is designed for a general audience and explores how people can stay psychologically well and connected to what matters in the face of uncertainty and change. It will include climate-related distress. Free to attend as part of Psychology Week 11th - 17th May, 2026. Zoom link wi...

11/05/2026

Celebrate Psychology Week 2026!

Find out more about Psychology Week events at https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/psychology-week

11/05/2026

Join us for this free online public workshop as part of Psychology Week - where we learn from the past to dream for the future!

Increasingly frequent weather disasters can leave us feeling uncertain about the future and emotionally stretched. This workshop focuses on practical ways to steady the nervous system, reduce spiralling and remain engaged without burning out.

Register here to receive the Zoom link: https://nzps.gecco.co.nz/event-manager/ViewEvent/216
Find all events for Psychology Week here: https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/psychology-week

11/05/2026

Sleep advice is everywhere — and much of it is confusing, unrealistic, or far too generic. You’re told to go to bed earlier, switch off screens, meditate, buy supplements, or create the perfect bedtime routine. Yet many people try these things and still struggle.

Join us next Saturday for this free public workshop offering a more practical and evidence-based way to understand and improve sleep. You’ll learn the key biological and psychological drivers of sleep, why common problems happen, and which changes tend to make the biggest difference. Rather than a list of rigid rules, the focus is on approaches that can be adapted to real lives, real schedules, and real challenges.

Offered as part of Psychology Week 2026 - register for this workshop - to receive the Zoom link- here: https://nzps.gecco.co.nz/event-manager/ViewEvent/213

Find more events and information on Psychology Week here: https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/psychology-week

11/05/2026

The IEDP are hosting a series of kawhe and kōrero sessions as a chance to connect during Psychology Week. These sessions are open to all members of the public who have an interest in learning more about educational psychology.

The first one is this Monday 11th May in Wellington!
Find one near you during this week:
https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/psychology-week

11/05/2026

11/05/2026

Interested in Educational Psychology? This is a great opportunity to find out more! Join members of the IEDP for kawhe and kōrero this week! Palmerston North and Tauranga - pop in for a coffee on us tomorrow - location and times below!

Find out more about psychology and our Psychology Week events here:
https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/psychology-week

11/05/2026

11/05/2026

11/05/2026

Psychologists are encouraged to join this free 2 hour 'taster' workshop looking back at the history of psychology in Aotearoa, Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the vision it offers for our future!

Register for this workshop here: https://nzps.gecco.co.nz/event-manager/ViewEvent/218
Find out more about psychology and other Psychology Week events here: https://www.psychology.org.nz/public/psychology-week

02/11/2025

Message from the Chair.

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ko Kāi Tahu te iwi, Ko au te heamana hou mō tō mātou peka.
Ko Crispin Garden-Webster taku ingoa.

Greetings, The Branch committee held our annual general meeting held on Monday 4 August, I was nominated and elected as the new Chairperson for the Branch, and I want to take the opportunity to introduce myself and recognise others. My name is Crispin Garden-Webster. I am an Organisational Psychologist and Fellow of the Society. I’ve been with the Otago -Southland Branch for a year since moving to Dunedin in August 2024 to take up a professional staff appointment at the University of Otago. I have been with the Society in other Branches and roles since 1984, and in that time been a supervisor for registration, mentor, served on Board working groups and been active at branch and IOP level in Wellington and Christchurch.

So to others, thank you to outgoing Chair Bill Gillmore for his mahi at the helm of our Branch and for taking on the role of Secretary on the new Committee. Thank you also to Max Gold, our long serving Treasurer who leaves the Committee to share his talents with the Rowing community in Twizel. Welcome to Martina Bruwer, who is new to the Committee, thank you Martina for volunteering to serve as the new Treasurer, and a big shout out to Diane Bellamy, Brian Dixon and Jack Austin for their continued support on the Committee.

Looking ahead I would like us to build a strong collaborative community, diverse in scope, and valuable to the Society as a regional voice. Starting today I am keen to engage with you on what you want the Branch to be for you, your colleagues, clients and our professional community.

I am keen hear your thoughts on professional development interests.

I also want to grow the Committee. Many hands make light work and diversity of scope and experience will benefit our members. If you feel you’d like to help grow the profession and grow yourself in the region and elsewhere, then I’d love to hear from you. A couple of Student members would also be great. Get in touch and let’s see what we can do.

I look forward to working with you to grow a highly regarded community for the profession that is relevant and responsive. Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi,

Mā te wā, nā Crispin cgardenwebster@gmail.com
02040833432